Feeler mechanism for looms



- March 25, 1924.

M. L.. STONE FEELER MECHANISM FOR Looms Fi led Decl 26, 922 ZShQQtS-ShGOt 1 INI/ENTOR."

March 25 1.92

- R A=$AW M. I... STONE FEEL-ER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS MEN TOR u wzg,

/'. J V b ,4 TTORNE Y Patented Mar. 25, le'lfii i.

MELVIN L. STONE, OF LAVIRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 DRAPER CORLOBA TIDN', 0F HOEEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed December 2c, 1922. Serial no. 608,860.

' haustion.

Feeler mechanisms of various types have heretofore been suggested, some of which have been well adapted for use inconnection with one kind of filling, whileother types. have been better adapt-ed, to call the change in connection'with other kinds of filling. It often happens, however, that in the same loom it may be desirable to employ filling of one kind for a time and then to use filling of a difierent kind, each bein better adapted for use in connection with different types of feeler mechanism.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a feeler mechanisfiithat may be converted readily from one type to another, as desired, or best adapted to the particular filling employed, without the necessity of changing the entire feeler mechanism or sacrificing the advantages incident to the use of the type of feeler mechanism best suited to the particular conditions. In its broade'r'aspect, therefore, the present ,invention consists of a feeler mechanism that may be converted readily from one type to another by a simple and efiective change in the relations of the parts of the same mechanism.

More specifically, the invention consists in a convertible side swipe and penetrating ieeler mechanism wherein the feeler element may be rendered eifective to call for replenishment of filling by side swipe actioifi or movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, or by filhn penetrating pins which call the change of filling without side swipeinovement of the feeler when the l substance of the filling a detecting heat. features of the invem .meet the more ,dense carrier or bobbin on "Elie various novel foi the "tion aiidnew combination of parts will be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawing of one good practical form thereof, it being understood that manyvof the details may be changed within the true scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 'is a perspective View of a loom containing the present invention, onlysufficlent parts of the loom being shown to make clear the association of the invention therewith,- v

Fig. 2 is a detached perspective view showing the rear end portlon of the feeler mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front to rear vertical section rear end portion of the feeler mecham ellll Fig.4 1S anbnlarged top or plan view of the feeler mechanism with some of the overlying parts omitted for cleariiess of illustration and showing the mechanism adjusted to act as a side swipe feeler;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig.-

4showing the parts adiusted, to operate as it penetrating feeler; and

Fig.7 6 is an enlarged erspective view with'someef-the parts bro an away, showin% details of construction. he replenishing mechanism and details thereof are not herein shown and described because the details thereof form no essential parts of the present invention and more over such mechanism is now well understood by those skilled in the art.

The loom frame 1 has secured thereto at each side a bracket 2' having a bearing 3 for the transverse orrock shaft 4 to which is secured the arm 5 extendin upwardly from the rock shaft and ivotal y connected at 6 to the lever 7, the rent end 8v of which is adapted at times to be engaged by an operating member 9. The operating member 9 may be a part of or secured for movement with the weft hammer. f

Between the lever 7 and the feeler mechanism roper is a transmitter which is adapte for operation when the filling is substantially exhausted to place the end 8' i of the lever 7 in the path of theoperating member 9 to call for a change of filling," in the present instance of the invention,"..the transmitter consists of a lever 10 pivotally mounted on a stud 11 extending from a bracket 12. The arm 12 of the transmitter carries a member 13 havin cam portion, as 14, adapted to be engaged by the frontward movement of an arm 15'which constitutes a part of the transmitter. The arm 15 is mounted for rocking movement on the stud 16 and is normally under the influence of a spring 17'. The outer extremity of the arm 15 has a projection 18 which is adapted to be engaged by the actuator, presently to be described, when, on a detecting beat, the filling is substantially exhausted. The parts so far described are or may be of usual construction.

Extending outward from the loom frame is the shipper staiid .19 from which projects a bracket 20 on which the feelcr mechanism may be adjustably mounted by the bolt, 21 passingthrough a slot 22, Fig. 1. In the present instance, the feeler stand 23 is mountedvfor adjustment rearwardly and frontwardly of the loom and also laterally thereof, the former adjustment being possible throu h the slot 2e and pins 25 andthe lateral adjustment being rendered by the bolts 26. These features for adjusting the feeler mechanism may be of usual construction.

The feeler mechanism of the present invention includes as part thereof a carrier which has a movement towards and fromthe front of the loom, and in the present instance the carrier 27 is formed as a slide, as best indicated in Fig. 4c, which is mounted in the feeler stand 23 for sliding movement towards and from the front of the loom,

and is normally under the infiuence of a spring 28 for returning the carrier to its rearward posit-ion. Suitable stops,'such as 29, are provided to limit the movement of the carrier rearwardly. The carrier 27 may be of any known type now used, but the present invention isshown associated with a carrier of the sliding type. a

Pivotally connected to the carrier 27 is the actuator 30. The pivotal connection of the actuator with the carrieris ali'orded by a pin 31 passing through the hub portion 32 of the carrier and engaging the slide 27. Extendinglaterally, or offset from the pivot 31 of the carrier is an arm 33 to which is pivotally connected-at the swingingrocker 35 which afiords a convenient form of bean.

ing for the front end portion. 36 of pins which are mounted on the feeler, as will presently appear.

The actuator has a small arm 37 projecting from the hub portion 32 thereof and connected to such extension by thedetach able screw 38 is the feeler 39.

The rear end portion-of the carrier 27 is formed to sufaport the feeler and actuator and the parts associated with each. lln the present instance, the rear portion 4&6 of the inseam carrier 27 has the upstanding side flanges all between which is mounted the feeler head;

l3 which extends into the groove ll formed in the rear portion of, the carrier.

The feeler head 42 is loosely connected to the feeler 39 by a pin 45, as indicated in Fig. 6, the construction being such that lateral or side swipe movement of the feeler 39 will cause the feeler head l2 to move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by its engagement with the groove -14.

The ileeler head 42 has mounted in it filling engaging pins, two being shown in the present instance of the invention, but the number may be varied. The teeler penetrating pins 36 pass through openings in the fceler head 42- and the filling engaging portions 46 extending beyond the head 42, while collars 47* on the pins limit the movement of the pins relativeto the feeler in an outward direction.

The actuator 30 is normally under the in fluence of a spring 47 one end 48 olf'which acts upon the extension 37 from the hub of the actuator and the other end of which is secured to the pin 31, with. the result that the actuator and the feeler when secured to the actuator as described, will be held in their normal position.' A pin 49 extending through the slot 50 in the hub of thactuator serves to limit the extent of the movement permitted the actuator.

From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that when a Working supply of filling is in the shuttle on a detectmg beat, the outer portions of the pins 36 will directly engage the filling and sink into it and then the filling will engage the plane face at the rear end of the carrier 27 and by frontward pressure thereon will move the carrier and the parts secured to it, in a frontward direction, without, however, causing the actuator to call for a change of filling. When, however, the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting. beat the ends 46 oi: the pins will strike the more dense substance of the filling carrier or bobbin and be pushed frontwardly thereby, causing the actuator 30 to be turned from its normal to, its abnormal position and the lleeler head-l2 to be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle. Should there be sufiicient filling in the shuttle to continue "weaving for a time it may obstruct the side swipe movement of the feeler head by engagement with the turned ends 46 of the pins and the replenishment of filling will be delayed for a time or until the filling is sufilciently exhausted to permit the pins to move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, whereupon the change will be called by the actuator as it moves frontwardly under the frontward pressure;

ll: will ha nosed. from the construction thus far described that the pins which arc csrried by the foods? act upon tbs actuator and position the actuator to call for replenisbment of filling when the feeder is frco lo move in a direction lon ituclinolly or the shuttle, or in other wor s, when the pins themselves more along the filling carrier or bobbin as well as frontwurolly relative to tho fesler.

The side swipe fcsler thus far described is specially sdsptcrl for use in certain looms or in connection with certain filling, bui as horeinbcfors poinicd out, it may be 5min able to convert the fceler from as side swipe to as. truly penctra-tingtype to accommodate the feelcr notion b0 udiilerent loom or to sclifierent of filling.

To his: and the fcclsr 39 is detschsbly connecfrcsl so the actuator and such clot-solo able connsction may be convenisnt-ly' secured by the pin or scrow 38 which through the extension 3'? and into the fecier 39. Wham thc Ilcslcr is connected to the actuator, is substantially rigid. therewith and moves with the actuator.

The feslsr 39 an opening; 51, for the reception of c pin or lug to hold the icslsr rigi lv wish the carrier 27 when. it is detached from the actual/or. In the present instance and for convenience of manipuls tion, the opcnin, 51 in the iceler 39 is made of a siz to rcoeivs the threaded pin 38, and (lirccily beneath the openin 51 in the feeler 39 them is a threaded opening 52 formed in the carrier 27, she construction being such that when the pin 38 is removed from its position connecting the fecler and actuator and is passed through the opening 51 into the threaded opening 52 in the carrier, the fcelcr 39 becomes fixed, while the actuator still retains iflzs freedom of action.

v Under the conditions last describsd, ihat is, when tho feeler 39 is disconnected from the actuator and securscl in fixed position on the carrier 27, as inilicct/scl in Fig. 5, the feelcr mechanism becomes one of the penetrating type without side swipe movemcnr. in the construction lass ClESQIllJeLl, when a woric ing supply of filling is present in the shuttle, the penetrating pins 36 sink into the filling substantially as before described. When, however, izhe filling is substantially e2:- haustccl on s detecting boat, the pins 36 are pushed frontwartlly relatively to the feelcr head and, acting upon the OlESGt arm of the actuator, move the actuator inic position to engage and operate the transmitter as the actuator is moved frcntwsrclly. Thus the feelcr mechanism may be employed either as u sids swipe or penetrating fesler without side swipe movement by simple manipulation of parts of the feelcr construction and without the introduction of any new or auxiliary ports.

i l/'hcther the feeler mechanism be employed as a side swipe feeler or merely a penecrating fecler without side swipe movement, it is desirable to prevent the feeler from culling the change of filling either by accidental movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle in one case or the frontward movement of the pins which may meeta, hard part of the filling in the other case.

To secure this result a lock is provided for the actuator and as shown comprises the plate 53. Fig. 3, pivotally mounted at 54c to lugs 55 rising from the rear portion of the carrier 27. The plate or arm 53 carrics a pin 56 which is normally engaged with a part 57 formed in the hub 32 of the actuator. The arm or plate 53 also carries rearwurdly extending bunlcr 58 which, when the filling is approaching substantial exhaustion and the feeler enters further inm the shuttle, strikes the front wall of the shuttle 59 as the lay beats up, thereby causinp; the pin 56 to be withdrawn from lockin engagement with the actuator. The ifcelcr is now free to call the change and will call the change when the filling reaches subsiantial exhaustion as hereinbefore described.

The shuttle 59 is of ordinary construction and carries the bobbin 60 having a supply of filling 61 thereon. The front Wall of the shuttle is provicledwith an opening 62 and the front wall of the shuttle box is provided with an opening 63 so that the feeler may enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and perform its feelin function.

What is claims is:

1. In a filling replenishing loom, a convertible side swipe and penetrating feeler mechanism, comprising, in combination, a carrier mounted for movement towards and from the front of the loom, a feeler on the carrier, an actuator havinga normal stroke towards and from the front of the loom. filling; penetrating pins carried by the feeler and engaging the actuator, and means for dctochubly connecting the feeler and setuutor.

2. In a filling-replenishing loom, a convsrtible side swipe and penetrating fceler mechanism, comprising, in combination, a, carrier mounted for movement towards and from the front of the loom, a fceler mounted on the carrier, an actuator having an off-set pivotal connection with the carrier, filling penetrating pins mounted on the feeler and hearing at their front ends upon the actuator, and means for detachablyconnecting the feeler and 'actuutor.

3. In a filling replenishing 100111, a convcrrible side swipe and penetrating feeler mechanism, comprising, in combination, a. carrier mounted for movement towards and.

from the front of tho loom, a feeler mountedv on the carrier, an actuator having an ofl"-set pivotal connection with the carrier, filling penetrating pins mounted on the feeler and bearing at their front ends upon the actuator, and means for detachably connecting the feeler and actuator, and an actuator lock which prevents movement of the actuator to its abnormal position until the filling reaches a predetermined degree of exhaustion.

l 4. In a filling replenishing loom, a convertible side-swipe and penetrating feeler mechanism, comprising a feeler which is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof on a detecting beat, filling penetrating pins adapted to penetrate the filling on detecting beatsand engage the more dense surface of the filling carrier and ing members.

be l-movedfrontwardly thereby when the filling is substantially exhausted, an actuator, and means for selectively rendering the'actuator operative to eflect replenishment of filling by side-swipe movement of the feeler or frontward movement of .the penetrating pins when filling is substantially exhausted on a detectin -b'eat.

I 5. In a filling replenishing loom, a convertible side-swipe and penetrating feeler mechanism, comprising, in combination, a feeler mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle to call for a change of filling, a penetrating member adapted to penetrate the filling on a detect in'g'beat and be moved frontwardly relative to the feeler when the fillin is substantially exhausted, an actuator, an means for rendering the actuator operative to efiect re- "combination of a carrier mounted ment towards and from the front of'the loom, an actuator mounted on the carrierand having'movements withand independ-- ently of the carrier, a feeler having pins plenishment of fillin either by movement of the feeler longitu inally of the shuttle or by frontward movement of the penetratfor looms, the

for move- 6. In a feeler mechanism which, penetrate the filling on a vdetecting beat, an arm extending from the actuator against which the front end portion of the pins bear, means for interchangeably connecting the feeler to the actuator and carrier that the feeler mechanism may be readily converted from a side swipe to a penetrating feeler, andfa transmitter which is actuated by the actuator for replenishing the filling.

7. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising a feeler having pins movable relative to the feeler and directly meetin the filling on a detecting beat and disp aced frontwardly by the contact pressure when the filling is substantially exhausted, an actuator detachably: connected to the feeler and having a reclprocating'stroke towardsprising a carrier, a feeler having pins mouable relative to' the feeler and directly megt' ing the filling on a detecting beat and dis placed frontwardly by the contact. ressum when the filling is substantially ex austed] an actuator having a normal reciprocating stroke towards and from the front of the loom, a part carried by the actuator and engaged by the pins, means for securing the feeler to the actuator "to have side swipe snovement therewith and ermit the pins to be moved frontwardly re ative to the feeler as the feeler side swi es and to be detached from the actuator an secured to the carrier to cause the frontward movement of the pins by the frontwerd pressure to abnormally displace the actuator.

. 9. A. convertible side swipe and penetrating feeler mechanism, comprising, a carrier,

.an actuator pivotally mounted on the carrier, a feeler detachably connected to ,the actuator and having a head restrainedl to movement longitudinally of the shuttle relative to the carrier, means for locking the feeler head from such movement when the feeler is detached from the actuator,'an arm on the actuator off-set from the'pivot of the actuator, pins carried by the head and bear.

mg against said ofi-set arm, and a trans nutter operated by the actuator in its frontward stroke when the pins have been moved frontwardly by 'the frontward pressure.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

nenvru it. scone. 

